Garment workers demand wage hike

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of workers of garment producer PT Bali Nirwana Garmen in Kreo subdistrict, Ciledug here demonstrated on Monday to demand a 15 percent increase on their wages, meal allowances, transportation fees and leave.

The demonstrators, from among about 1,500 workers employed by the company, sat peacefully in the company's compound.

"I have been working here for 20 years but my wage remains the same as a new worker's," Supriyati, one of the workers, said, adding that she earned Rp 172,000 a month.

The workers also demanded that the firm pays costs of medical treatment for the workers and their family members, she said.

The firm's marketing manager, Sham Kurnani, said that the firm would discuss the workers' demands, but reminded them that it was not easy to meet all the demands amid the current crisis.

"We can not guarantee to fulfill all the demands," Sham said.

He said two of the demands, namely meal allowances and transportations fees, have been handed over to the Central Committee of Labor Disputes (P4P) of the Ministry of Manpower to be settled. (41/jun)